New Caledonia has voted against independence from France for a second time, after 10,000 votes separated the two sides in the referendum. 

Voter participation was four percent higher than the referendum of 2018.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a press conference that he “saluted this show of confidence in the republic with a profound amount of gratitude” but has “heard the voices of those who wish independence.”

Paris and its three neighbouring departments were announced to be in “maximal warning zone” last night for a period of two weeks after the coronavirus cases increased dangerously since August.

All the bars will have to be closed from Tuesday this week, universities will have to reduce the  numbers of students on campus simultaneously but restaurants will still be open with maximum precautions.

Chinese company CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, which won the contract to build 65 new high capacity metro trains for Melbourne in 2016 has been identified as a potential beneficiary of Uighur labour.

The enterprise was recently blacklisted by the US government due to the security risks posed by its ties to the Chinese government as it is a subsidiary of major Chinese state owned rolling stock manufacturer, CCRC.

Victoria has recorded 9 new cases of coronavirus overnight.

No deaths have been recorded in the state for the last 24 hours. 

This is the first time in almost three weeks that the state has recorded  zero deaths in a 24-hour period.

Data from the Office of Liquor and Gaming has revealed that $293 million dollars was spent on gambling and pokie machines in Queensland this July.

Experts claim that the spike is linked to the government’s Jobseeker and Jobkeeper stimulus packages.

Mental health charity Lifeline fears that the number of gambling addicts who need assistance will only increase in the coming months. 

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

As Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and opposition Leader Deb Frecklington are about to enter the formal campaign stage of the state election, the State opposition is offering to cut land tax by 75 per cent on selected projects to create a “build to rent” scheme in Queensland that should “drag Queensland out of recession”.

The LNP said its plan could attract about $2 billion in private investment, create 4600 construction jobs and see 4000 homes built over the next 10 years.

In exchange for the reduced land tax, owners would be asked to offer some units at affordable rent.

Queensland Government announced today early development will start on a $380 million wind farm in Far North Queensland before the end of the year, creating 150 jobs, thanks to a sales deal with publicly-owned CleanCo.

 Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Neoen Energy would build the Kaban Green Power Hub near Ravenshoe, 80 kilometres south-west of Cairns now that CleanCo had agreed to buy 110 MW of the wind farm’s output.

Brexit should be finalised on December 31 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president agreed on Saturday the two sides shared enough common ground to aim for a final settlement.

Britain formally left the European Union at the end of January but remained part of the bloc’s customs union and single market until the end of the year while both sides discussed permanent arrangements.

Closure seems to be essential after years of negotiations but it has raised questions on Britain's future relationship with the European Union.